Background

The seeds of 40 Below Summer were sown in 1998, when drummer and Peruvian native Carlos Aguilar started jamming with singer Illidge. Joe D’Amico came into the fold next, followed by Jordan Plingos and Puerto Rican-born Hector Graziani. A self-released EP called Sideshow Freaks and constant gigging in New Jersey and New York helped foster a buzz about the band, and after numerous showcases on both coasts, a deal was signed with London/Sire Records. Their major label debut, Invitation To The Dance, was rele ased in October of 2001, produced by the legendary GGGarth Richardson (Rage Against The Machine, Kittie).

Following one label-supported run on the Jagermeister Music Tour, with Drowning Pool, Coal Chamber, and Ill Nino, making things work on their own is exactly what 40 Below Summer did – with the help of an incredibly devoted and growing fan base. “It’s pretty uplifting, especially when we’re just out in a van playing smaller clubs, and the kids are crazy,” continues Plingos. “They follow us, they’re just so psyched for you to be there, they want to talk to you and tell you what they thought about the show. It’s just nuts to see what five guys in a van can do.

“We’re not a nu-metal band,” says Illidge firmly. “We have elements of nu-metal in us; we have elements of old school metal in us. We have elements of hardcore and straight-up rock and folk and even some jazz and funk. We don’t want to be pigeonholed. We’re an aggressive rock band, and rock explores a little bit of everything.”

With The Mourning After ready for release, 40 Below Summer is preparing to do what they do best – tour as much as possible – and bring their hardcore fans a killer new album, an energized band, and an uncompromised outlook. “Everything feels much better,” says Aguilar. “Every single experience, every single show, the way we recorded this album, the songwriting – everything feels like it’s being done by a band again.”

“The music has to always come first,” confirms Illidge. “The music and the band itself have to come before anything else, and then you deal with the rest.”

40 Below Summer Interviews and Features

Tonight, March 11th, I sat down with the lead singer of the band 40 Below Summer. Max Illidge. Before interviewing him I watched their set and it was amazing. They always seem to get better and better every time I see them. This time though they added a little something extra, right before playing their song ‘Fuck Everyone’ Max said “This song is for all of these shitty fucking bands out there, you all know what I’m talking about too! Bands like The Vines, The Strokes, The White Stripes, and most of all that annoying fucking band The Darkness! So say it with me, Fuck The Darkness!!!” Sure enough all of the fans chanted along with this one. Then the song started and everyone went nuts, the pit was huge and no one was standing still. A very amazing night and I look forward to seeing these guys every time they come around, and everyone reading this should check them out too. They’re such an amazing band live and it’s worth whatever you have to pay to see them!